tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126898863478033647.post8479657670026458623..comments2024-01-24T23:53:31.921-08:00Comments on Vintage Racing Bicycles: 1985 Centurion "Cinelli" EquipeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126898863478033647.post-10395971981875602152020-03-25T17:49:08.710-07:002020-03-25T17:49:08.710-07:00Would anyone be able to determine the differences ...Would anyone be able to determine the differences between Cinelli-Centurion frames. There was the production model, the Project model and then there were (2) prototype models produced. Information through blogs indicate there were changes between original and production models, what were these changes? My frame does not have braze-ons for the pump under the top tube nor for the set tube water bottle. My frame has never had chrome head lugs. Images i have seen indicate these frame options are more of the Project Cinelli-Centrion model.<br />Does anyone have any insight on this topic?<br />John<br />John Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04286737322979522833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126898863478033647.post-6292048539424413462017-01-08T11:08:52.972-08:002017-01-08T11:08:52.972-08:00The Centurion Equipe was originally intended to be...The Centurion Equipe was originally intended to be marketed as the Cinelli Equipe Centurion (Cinelli Team Centurion), but Cinelli was not fond of leading off the name of a frame built under contract. The original order was for 1 shipping container, and that was the limit of the production. Alan Goldsmith negotiated the agreement on behalf or Western States Imports, parent company of Centurion (US, not to be confused with the German Centurion bike firm). It is pretty much agreed that the frames were produced in the Chirico factory in Bussero, Italy, on the outskirts of Milan. Chirico made other frames for Cinelli, and one of the Chirico sons "apprenticed" under Cinelli's master frame builder for 14 years, returning to Chirico to develop and patent a process to make forks. The frame is as much Cinelli as any other model, but lacks the tiny winged C stamp on the head lugs, and avoided comparisons to the Super Corsa by using more standard seat stay caps. Smaller models were Columbus SL, with larger models being a combination of SL and SP. Attention was paid to Cinelli components, but also to other Italian components that were competitors to Campagnolo, such as Ofmega (Mistral crankset, Sintesi pedals, bottom bracket and alloy headset. Universal provided the nice AER calipers and levers, Miche the hubs, Fiamme the rims, and Gipiemme the seatpost. The awful Centurion decals were produced in orange/green and lavender/black, and these cracked within about a year. Many restored models do away with those and just use Cinelli decals. The "Cinelli Equipe" decals were negotiated to the 1" decal on top of the down tube and on the L chain stay. The bike flopped, but has a nice following in the US, where originals are very hard to find, but the frames are still popular.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14980798486669776636noreply@blogger.com